TALK about going out in style! Blackpool Grand Theatre has been left a fabulous legacy of entertainment by general manager Stephanie Sirr.

Stephanie sets off for the new pastures of Nottingham Playhouse next month and last week unveiled a stunning array of artistes of drama, dance, comedy and grand opera for the coming season.

And it all kicks off with the hot-blooded passion of Bizet's Carmen and Puccini's last great masterpiece Turandot from the Chisinau National Opera in October.

Not to be missed this Halloween is comedian Bill Bailey who is described as "the finest stand-up comedian this country has to offer" and in November New York rock musical Rent makes its dramatic Blackpool debut starring Adam Rickitt.

English Touring Theatre makes a welcome return with Harold Pinter's sinister play The Caretaker and Ibsen's Ghosts In March, while Wilde's The Importance Of Being Earnest is given the full Lip Service treatment from November 15-17 -- a must see for all fans of clever comedy and absurd antics.

TV star Sam Kane is back in Seven Brides For Seven Brothers and last year's promised Deathtrap is hoping to make the stage this year with Starsky and Hutch's David Soul.

For the kids, panto is here in December (oh yes it is!) with Cinderella from the witty pen of Tom Bright and starring Ruth Madoc as the fairy godmother and Eastender's Mark Homer as Buttons. James And The Giant Peach arrives in February and is adapted by David Wood for the Birmingham Stage Company.

The Grand is famous for dance and this season is no exception with St Petersburg Ballet bringing classics Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty in 2002, contemporary moves from RAW Rhythm At Work with dynamic dance and pounding percussion and Ready Steady Dance with Wayne Sleep and Melanie Stace.

And make a date in the diary for January 18 as the Grand restoration project is revealed in its full glory on the opening night of The Mikado with a gala celebration.

Stephanie warmly thanked her staff whom she described as "so committed and I will miss each and every one of them", Grand sponsors "without whom a lot of shows at the Grand wouldn't appear" and to the Friends Of The Grand, "a sincere thank you to those unpaid volunteers".

Stephani also had a personal message of thanks to chairman of the Grand Theatre Arts and Entertainment Ltd, David Coupe, and chairman of the Blackpool Grand Theatre Trust, Samuel Lee.

For a full listing of all the events planned until March 2002 call into the Grand Theatre box office and pick up a new programme or call (01253) 290190.